Capsulation satellite system

Abstract

A capsulation satellite module for transferring a payload by an earth-launch vehicle to an outer space. The capsulation satellite module comprises a casing defining a hermetically sealed inner cavity therewithin. The casing includes a continuous sidewall and first and second cover assemblies mounted to axially opposite sides of the sidewall so as to delimit the hermetically sealed inner cavity within the casing. The first cover assembly defines a first gas chamber therein extending over the inner cavity of the casing. The second cover assembly defines a second gas chamber therein extending over the inner cavity of the casing. Each of the first gas chamber and the second gas chamber are fluidly connected to the sealed inner cavity and to each other through the sealed inner cavity to maintain predetermined pressure and temperature within the cavity.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A capsulation satellite module for carrying a payload on an orbit in outer space, the capsulation satellite module comprising a casing defining a hermetically sealed inner cavity therewithin, the casing including:
 a continuous sidewall; and 
 first and second cover assemblies mounted to axially opposite sides of the sidewall so as to delimit the hermetically sealed inner cavity within the casing; 
 the first cover assembly defining a first gas chamber therein extending over the inner cavity of the casing; and 
 the second cover assembly defining a second gas chamber therein extending over the inner cavity of the casing; 
 each of the first gas chamber and the second gas chamber fluidly connected to the sealed inner cavity and to each other through the sealed inner cavity to maintain predetermined pressure and temperature within the cavity. 
 
     
     
       2. The capsulation satellite module as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one piece of equipment disposed within the hermetically sealed inner cavity. 
     
     
       3. The capsulation satellite module as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the casing further includes a sidewall insulation member secured to an outer surface of the sidewall. 
     
     
       4. The capsulation satellite module as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the casing further includes a first insulation member secured to the first cover assembly so as to face the inner cavity of the casing. 
     
     
       5. The capsulation satellite module as defined in  claim 4 , wherein the casing further includes a second insulation member secured to the second cover assembly so as to face the inner cavity of the casing. 
     
     
       6. The capsulation satellite module as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the first cover assembly includes a first cover plate and a first fan plate assembly secured to the first cover plate inside the casing. 
     
     
       7. The capsulation satellite module as defined in  claim 6 , wherein the first cover plate is removably connected to the casing. 
     
     
       8. The capsulation satellite module as defined in  claim 6 , wherein the first fan plate assembly includes a first support plate, at least one fan duct fluidly connecting the first gas chamber to the sealed inner cavity and a fan unit disposed in the at least one fan duct, wherein the first support plate is axially spaced from the first cover plate, and wherein the first gas chamber is defined between the first cover plate and the first support plate of the first fan plate assembly. 
     
     
       9. The capsulation satellite module as defined in  claim 8 , wherein the first fan plate assembly further includes at least one cooling fin attached to the first support plate and disposed in the first gas chamber of the first cover assembly so as to extend between the first support plate and the first cover plate. 
     
     
       10. The capsulation satellite module as defined in  claim 8 , wherein the fan unit includes an electric motor and an axial flow fan driven by the electric motor. 
     
     
       11. The capsulation satellite module as defined in  claim 10 , further comprising at least one rechargeable battery mounted within the inner cavity of the casing and operably connected to the electric motor and an electric motor control unit for controlling the operation of the electric motor. 
     
     
       12. The capsulation satellite module as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the second cover assembly includes a second cover plate and a second fan plate assembly secured to the second cover plate inside the casing. 
     
     
       13. The capsulation satellite module as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the second cover plate is non-removably secured to the casing. 
     
     
       14. The capsulation satellite module as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the second fan plate assembly includes a second support plate, at least one fan duct fluidly connecting the second gas chamber to the sealed inner cavity and a fan unit disposed in the at least one fan duct, wherein the second support plate is axially spaced from the second cover plate, and wherein the second gas chamber is defined between the second cover plate and the second support plate of the second fan plate assembly. 
     
     
       15. The capsulation satellite module as defined in  claim 14 , wherein the second fan plate assembly further includes at least one cooling fin attached to the second support plate and disposed in the second gas chamber of the second cover assembly so as to extend between the second support plate and the second cover plate. 
     
     
       16. The capsulation satellite module as defined in  claim 14 , wherein the fan unit of the second fan plate assembly includes an electric motor and an axial flow fan driven by the electric motor, and wherein the electric motor of the second fan plate assembly is operably connected to the at least one rechargeable battery and the electric motor control unit for controlling the operation of the electric motor of the second fan plate assembly. 
     
     
       17. The capsulation satellite module as defined in  claim 14 , wherein each of the first and second support plates is substantially planar and circular without a circular segment defined by a chord. 
     
     
       18. A method for operating of a capsulation satellite module comprising a casing defining a hermetically sealed inner cavity therewithin and including a continuous sidewall, and first and second cover assemblies mounted to axially opposite sides of the sidewall so as to delimit the hermetically sealed inner cavity within the casing and to maintain a predetermined pressure and temperature within the cavity, the first cover assembly defining a substantially planar first gas chamber therein extending over the inner cavity of the casing, the second cover assembly defining a substantially planar second gas chamber therein extending over the inner cavity of the casing, each of the first gas chamber and the second gas chamber fluidly connected to the sealed inner cavity and to each other through the sealed inner cavity, the method including the steps of:
 deploying the capsulation satellite module in an orbit in outer space; and 
 orienting the capsulation satellite module so that an outer peripheral surface of one of the first and second cover assemblies faces the Sun, and an outer peripheral surface of another of the first and the second cover assembly faces away from the Sun. 
 
     
     
       19. The method as defined in  claim 18 , wherein the first cover assembly includes a first cover plate and a first fan plate assembly mounted to the first cover plate inside the casing, and wherein the first fan plate assembly includes a first support plate, at least one fan duct fluidly connecting the first gas chamber to the sealed inner cavity and a fan unit disposed in the at least one fan duct, wherein the first support plate is axially spaced from the first cover plate, and wherein the first gas chamber is defined between the first cover plate and the first support plate of the first fan plate assembly, the method further including the step of activating the fan unit of the first fan plate assembly so as to create air circulation between the inner cavity and the first and second gas chambers. 
     
     
       20. The method as defined in  claim 19 , wherein the second cover assembly includes a second cover plate and a second fan plate assembly mounted to the second cover plate inside the casing, and wherein the second fan plate assembly includes a second support plate, at least one fan duct fluidly connecting the second gas chamber to the sealed inner cavity and a fan unit disposed in the at least one fan duct, wherein the second support plate is axially spaced from the second cover plate, and wherein the second gas chamber is defined between the second cover plate and the second support plate of the second fan plate assembly, the method further including the step of activating the fan unit of the second fan plate assembly so as to create air circulation between the inner cavity and the first and second gas chambers.